Terrorism has become a festering wound. It is an enemy of humanity.

The reality is that international institutions like the UN can only be as effective as its members allow it to be.

In the euphoria after the Cold War, there was a misplaced notion that the UN could solve every problem anywhere.

Declaring victory without war .. the belief that India gave up the option of war under American pressure is totally wrong.

There was an implicit conviction that the UN would be stronger than the sum of its constituent member-states.

The Bio-diversity Convention has not yielded any tangible benefits to the world's poor.

Poverty is multidimensional. It extends beyond money incomes to education, health care, political participation and advancement of one's own culture and social organisation.

Population needs to be stabilised for sustainable development.

As we talk with candour, we open the doors to new possibilities and new areas of cooperation in advance in democracy, in combating terrorism, in energy and environment, science and technology and international peacekeeping.

I believe the gun is no solution to problems.

There can be no compromise regarding corruption.

We believe in resolving all disputes peacefully.

We should always care for the minorities and be attentive towards their welfare.

Ours is a multi-religious country, a multi-lingual country; we have many different modes of worship. We believe in peaceful and harmonious co-existence.

We need to convert the extraordinary goodwill between India and Russia into a thriving, visible, vigorous, and mutually beneficial economic relationship.

I am contesting elections since 1952, but never did I throw mud.

For development, peace is essential.

We used to fight with Pakistan with bombs. Now we are fighting with them on the playing ground.

My poet’s heart gives me strength to face political problems, particularly those which have a bearing on my conscience.